South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa said his country was dealing with a national disaster after the number of confirmed cases reached 61 on Sunday.
“We have now declared a national state of disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act”, announced Ramaphosa. This is will enable us to have an integrated and coordinated disaster management mechanism that will focus on preventing and reducing the outbreak of this virus. We will also be able to set up emergency, rapid and effective response systems.
The urgent and drastic measures to be taken are:
- A travel ban on foreign national from high-risk countries such as Italy, Iran, UK, as from 18th March.
Visas are cancelled from today and previously issued visas are cancelled. - SA citizens are advised to refrain from all forms of travel through those high-risk countries – effective immediately.
- SA citizens returning from high-risk countries will be subjected to quarantine on return.
- All travellers who have returned from high-risk countries will be required to present themselves for testing.
Of the 72 points of entry into SA 35 points of entry will be closed from Monday. - All non-essential travel for the government will be banned and the government will discourage all non-essential domestic travel.
- Gatherings of more than 100 people will be prohibited. Large events will be cancelled.
- Schools will be closed from Wednesday until after the Easter weekend.
- Government is working with universities to intensify hygiene control.
- The Higher Education Minister is consulting with universities and colleges and will make an announcement soon.
